Multi-lobe cargo tank

Abstract

Multi-lobe tank for containing pressurized liquids, such as liquefied gas, for mounting into a ships hull, wherein the tank comprises at least a first longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part having a center line and a second longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part having a center line that are positioned behind each other resulting in a forward multi-lobe tank part and a rear multi-lobe tank part with aligned center lines, wherein the first part can tapered towards an end of the first part.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A multi-lobe tank for containing pressurized liquids tbr mounting into a ship's hull, wherein the multi-lobe tank comprises at least a first longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part having a center line extending centrally and in longitudinal direction of the first longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part and a second longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part having a center line extending centrally and in longitudinal direction of the second longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part, the second longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part being positioned behind the first longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part resulting in a forward multi-lobe tank part and a rear multi-lobe tank part with aligned center lines, wherein the forward multi-lobe tank part and rear multi-lobe tank part are joined to each other at a connection, wherein the forward multi-lobe tank part has a tank wall that is tapered constantly from the connection towards a closed end of the forward multi-lobe tank part that is opposite to an end at the connection with the rear multi-lobe tank part such that a cross-sectional area at the connection of the forward multi-lobe tank part and rear multi-lobe tank part is larger than a cross-sectional area at or near the closed end of the forward multi-lobe tank part, and further comprising a transverse web inside the multi-lobe tank and provided at the connection between the forward multi-lobe tank part and the rear multi-lobe tank part, wherein the transverse web is plate structure that extends over the entire larger cross-sectional area in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the multi-lobe tank. 
     
     
       2. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tank part and the second tank part are approximately equally long. 
     
     
       3. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the multi-lobe tank is a tri-lobe tank having two bottom lobes and one top lobe positioned above the bottom lobes, each of the bottom and top lobes comprising first and second tank parts and having the center lines. 
     
     
       4. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 3 , further comprising a Y-configuration longitudinal reinforcing web provided at connections between nodes of the lobes. 
     
     
       5. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 4 , wherein the Y-configuration longitudinal reinforcing web has oblique webs, and Wherein guide openings are provided in the oblique webs to allow equipment being lowered and/or retracted to be guided therethrough. 
     
     
       6. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 4 , wherein at nodes between lobes and/or the reinforcement web a Y-joint is provided to connect the Y-configuration longitudinal reinforcing web and lobes. 
     
     
       7. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 4 , wherein the transverse web comprises three parts and wherein each of the three parts is positioned between legs of the Y-configuration longitudinal reinforcing web at the location of the transverse web. 
     
     
       8. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 3 , wherein a distance between the center lines of the bottom lobes is approximately double a distance or height that the center line of the top lobe is positioned above the center lines of the bottom lobes. 
     
     
       9. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 1 , further comprising saddle supports to support the multi-lobe tank, wherein at least one of the saddle supports is a sliding support. 
     
     
       10. The multi-lobe tank according to  claim 9 , wherein the sliding support comprises sliding wooden blocks.